Dark Blue Paint Colors for Colonial Homes

Dark blue exteriors ground colonial architecture in a way few other colors can. The symmetrical facade, multi-pane windows, and columned entry of a colonial home gain weight and formality from a saturated blue body. Pair with crisp white trim to let the architectural detail stand out.

Classic Naval Colonial

Naval reads as near-black at dusk but reveals rich blue undertones in direct sun. The red door gives the facade a focal point without competing with the body color.

Walls
Naval
SW 6244
#34405C
Trim
Extra White
SW 7006
#F1EDE4
Front Door
Fireweed
SW 6328
#9B3441
Shutters
Naval
SW 6244
#34405C
Accent (porch ceiling)
Dorian Gray
SW 7017
#B0ADA6

Salty Dog Traditional

Salty Dog sits lighter than Naval, closer to a true denim. This palette keeps everything tonal, with Indigo Batik shutters providing depth without contrast shock.

Walls
Salty Dog
SW 9177
#3E4B5E
Trim
Alabaster
SW 7008
#EDEAE0
Front Door
Alabaster
SW 7008
#EDEAE0
Shutters
Indigo Batik
SW 7602
#4D596C
Accent (window boxes)
Snowbound
SW 7004
#F3EDE1

Anchors Aweigh Statement

The darkest blue in this set. Anchors Aweigh borders on midnight and works best on colonials with substantial square footage where the color has room to breathe.

Walls
Anchors Aweigh
SW 9179
#2D3751
Trim
Pure White
SW 7005
#EDEBE4
Front Door
Cavern Clay
SW 7701
#B0754F
Shutters
Anchors Aweigh
SW 9179
#2D3751
Accent (foundation)
Repose Gray
SW 7015
#C2BFB8

Tips for Dark Blue Colonial Homes

  1. Test dark blue samples on the north-facing side of your colonial. Blues shift cooler in shade and can read almost black without direct light.
  2. White trim on a dark blue colonial should lean warm (Alabaster, Dover White) rather than stark bright white, which creates too harsh a contrast on traditional details.
  3. Match your shutters to the body color for a clean, unified look. A contrasting shutter color on a dark blue colonial risks looking busy.

Related Color Palettes

See these colors on your Colonial home

Upload a photo of your house and preview any of these palettes in under 30 seconds.

Try PaintVue Free

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best dark blue paint color for a colonial house?
Naval (SW 6244) is the most popular dark blue for colonials. It reads as a rich, formal navy that complements white trim and red accents. For something slightly lighter, Salty Dog (SW 9177) offers a softer alternative.
Does a dark blue exterior make a colonial home look smaller?
No. Dark colors recede visually, which can make a colonial appear to sit deeper in its landscape. The white trim outlines the structure and preserves the sense of scale. Colonials with strong symmetry hold dark colors well.
What front door color goes with a dark blue colonial?
Red is the classic pairing. Fireweed (SW 6328) or a warm clay like Cavern Clay (SW 7701) both work. For a quieter look, match the door to the white trim color.

Browse by House Style

Colonial · Ranch · Craftsman / Bungalow · Split-Level · Cape Cod · Mid-Century Modern · Farmhouse · Contemporary · Tudor · Mediterranean